Mini cucumbers, also known as Beit Alpha or Persian cucumbers, are prized for their small size, smooth skin, and crisp texture. They typically measure 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) in length and weigh between 100–150 grams (3.5–5.3 oz). In greenhouse settings, mini cucumber plants can yield up to 15 kg (33 lbs) per plant, depending on the growing environment and management practices. Optimal cultivation involves maintaining temperatures between 18–25°C (64–77°F) and ensuring adequate light levels to promote vigorous growth and high-quality fruit production. Mini cucumbers have Brix values ranging from 2.2% to 5.4%, offering a mildly sweet flavor that is highly sought after in fresh markets. Their small size and excellent taste make them ideal for snacking and inclusion in gourmet dishes.
Mini Cucumbers
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Nutrient Profile of Greenhouse-Grown Mini Cucumbers
Mini cucumbers are grown without pesticides and picked when perfectly ripe, ensuring high water content and valuable electrolytes. Their small size and fast delivery reduce post-harvest loss, making them a crisp, healthy choice with great shelf performance.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size 100g
|
Amount Per Serving |
15 |
|
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 0.1g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 2mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 3.6g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0.5g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars 1.7g | ||
| Protein 0.6g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium 16mg | 1% | |
| Iron 0.3mg | 1% | |
| Potassium 147mg | 3% | |
| Vitamin A 105 IU | 2% | |
| Vitamin C 2.8mg | 3% | |
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Genetics Varieties & Breeding Companies
Modern greenhouse crops are the result of advanced breeding, combining traits like high yield, pest and disease resistance, uniformity, and quality characteristics such as taste, firmness, and shelf life. Below are top-performing varieties from leading seed suppliers and breeding companies. While traits like Brix and fruit weight vary with climate, substrate, and grower technique, these genetics offer a strong foundation for high-performance greenhouse production. Always consult the supplier when selecting varieties.
Mini Cucumber Varieties
| Variety | Supplier | Fruit Length | Weight | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiara RZ | Rijk Zwaan | 12–14 cm | 150g+ / 5.3oz+ | Crisp bite, excellent post-harvest life, good shelf stability |
| Mini Munch | Enza | 13–15 cm | 160g+ / 5.6oz+ | Snappy texture, smooth skin, retail clamshell ready |
| Aximini 124 | Axia Seeds | 12–14 cm | 145g+ / 5.1oz+ | Good fruit firmness, compact growth habit |
| Baby Crunch | Syngenta | 13 cm | 140g+ / 4.9oz+ | High productivity, uniform sizing, excellent crunch |
| Brigitte RZ | Rijk Zwaan | 12–13 cm | 135g+ / 4.8oz+ | Attractive skin, good shelf life, strong summer performer |
⚠️ Note: Mini cucumbers are sensitive to climate fluctuation and should be matched to the production rhythm and cycle strategy. Yield and fruit size depend on plant density and pruning regime.
Crop Requirements
Understanding the growing conditions of mini cucumbers is essential to planning a greenhouse that performs. Below you'll find the core climate, lighting, and packaging guidelines for mini cucumbers — based on what works in modern, high-performance GrowPro systems.
Temperature
- Optimal 24-hour average: 24–27°C (75–81°F)
- Minimum temperature: 18°C (64°F)
- Maximum temperature: 30°C (86°F)
- Temperature sensitivity: ●●●●○ (High)
Lighting
- Optimal DLI: 25–30 mol/m²/day
- Light sensitivity: ●●●◐○ (Moderate)
- Supplemental lighting options: LED or HPS top-lighting, often with vertical interlighting for dense planting (80–200 µmol/m²/s)
Humidity
- Target relative humidity: 65–80%
- Humidity sensitivity: ●●●◐○ (Moderate)
Packaging Options
- To Consumers: Snack cups, flow packs, resealable pouches
- To Farm Shops: Small trays or boxes, loose bundles
- To Restaurants: Bulk boxes or plastic crates
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Mini Cucumbers
Mini cucumber cultivation thrives in climate-controlled greenhouses, using hydroponic systems that support rapid growth and multiple harvests per week. These smaller varieties are favored for their crisp texture and sweetness. Dutch Greenhouses tailors environmental control systems for optimal mini cucumber production, from light intensity to humidity regulation. See structured data below for growing parameters.
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Mini Cucumbers
Mini cucumber cultivation thrives in climate-controlled greenhouses, using hydroponic systems that support rapid growth and multiple harvests per week. These smaller varieties are favored for their crisp texture and sweetness. Dutch Greenhouses tailors environmental control systems for optimal mini cucumber production, from light intensity to humidity regulation. See structured data below for growing parameters.
Mini Cucumbers: Standardized Systems with Built-in Support
Greenhouse Models
All Mini Cucumber crops are supported by GrowPro’s pre-engineered greenhouse models. Whether starting with a compact footprint or scaling toward high-volume production, our Expert and Plus Series offer the structural layout, labor efficiency, and ventilation needed for high-turnover cucumber crops.
Technology ↔ Crop
Mini Cucumbers are grown on high-wire hanging gutter systems — a proven setup for maximizing airflow, light exposure, and continuous fruiting. GrowPro integrates this professional-grade method into modular greenhouses, making it accessible without compromising on crop output or control.
Guided Growing
GrowPro’s Guided Growing program brings together AI insights, grower support, and crop-specific training to help teams run efficient cucumber production — from setup to harvest. Whether you're just getting started or expanding into new regions, we help you grow with confidence.
FAQ: Growing Mini Cucumbers in Greenhouses
Mini cucumbers combine compact size with extended shelf life, making them a favorite for clamshell retail and mixed snack packaging.
This FAQ walks through the key considerations for growing mini cucumbers commercially in a protected environment, from yield and pruning to climate and harvest frequency.
Mini cucumbers typically yield 160–200 fruits/m²/year, depending on crop management. That results in about 60–70 tons/ha in well-managed systems.
Mini cucumbers average 12–15 cm in length and weigh about 100–150 grams. Their size fits well in retail packaging and snack combos.
Densities range between 2.2–2.5 plants/m², as their smaller canopy allows tighter spacing without compromising light distribution or airflow.
Like other cucumber types, they grow rapidly and must be harvested every 1–2 days once fruiting starts, typically 4 weeks after transplanting.
Maintain day temperatures of 20–26°C (68–79°F) with high humidity control and steady CO₂ at 800–1000 ppm. Even conditions support uniform sizing and skin quality.
Mini cucumbers serve retail multipacks, clamshell snack formats, and premium export channels. They’re often used where convenience and presentation matter.
Both are compact and suited for retail, but mini cucumbers are slightly longer (12–15 cm) and heavier than snack cucumbers (10–12 cm). Minis are more often used in clamshell retail and mixed-format packaging, while snacks are typically marketed as on-the-go, high-margin single-serve products. Growing systems and labor needs are comparable.